Phi Phi Islands
These emerald islands are undoubtedly the jewels in Phuket’s crown.
A cluster of six limestone islands jutting dramatically from turquoise waters between Phuket and the mainland of Thailand, the Phi Phi Islands draw millions of visitors each year. Here you’ll find deserted beaches, untouched forests and abundant marine life.
Most people visit on a day trip from Phuket or the mainland Krabi Province. It’s possible, however, to stay on Phi Phi Don, the main island in the group and the only one that’s inhabited. Phi Phi Lay is the second largest and most popular island to visit. It has been immortalized on countless postcards and in the film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Life moves at a different pace here and there are still no roads through Phi Phi Don. But you will find plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops, from high-end luxury resorts to budget huts. The first settlement here was a fishing village in the 1940s, and later the main source of income came from a coconut plantation. Today, tourism has taken over the island, although you’ll still find a large Thai community going about their daily business.
It takes anywhere between an hour to 2.5 hours to arrive at Phi Phi Don, depending on what kind of boat you catch. As well as the two main islands, tours visit limestone caves and deserted beaches, and will drop anchor to allow time for swimming and sunbathing.
The coral and marine life surrounding Phi Phi Islands is by far the best in Phuket, particularly around Maya Bay, Pileh Bay and Bamboo Island.
Out of the water, walk a little way into the jungle. Keep an eye out for monkeys, birds and lizards in the pristine forest that covers the islands. Monkey Beach is a common stop on any tour, so-called because cheeky apes emerge from the trees to steal food from unsuspecting tourists.
There’ll be time during the day for hiking, or simply lazing in a hammock between two trees.
Boat tours are readily available from both Phuket and Krabi. There are also ferry services that operate from both destinations and take around 1.5 hours to make the trip one way.